Does anyone have a source that defines what "surgical success" really is?
Not success rates for specific operations or anything like that. Just what
the heck does surgical success mean?

I once read somewhere (possibly even here, some time ago!) that when
surgical success rates are quoted by surgeons, medical journals & articles,
etc., that if a surgeon accomplishes his or her objectives, Eg-remove X + Y
discs, fuse Z, or whatever they set out to do, and they accomplish exactly
that, that surgery is then defined as a "success" and calculated as such for
various studies, grading systems, and the like. Even if the intended end
result of the surgery is not reached. So when a surgeon, or a study
published in a medical journal indicates a success rate for that type of
surgery of 95%, or 80%, or whatever, that it really indicates the surgeon's
appraisal of whether or not he or she physically accomplished what was
planned, but does not at all take into account whether or not the surgical
patient shows significant improvement in whatever ailed he or she.

Does anyone know if this is fact or fiction? Or if there is a defintion of
such success rates published anywhere? As a real life example, I refused
LAUP and UUUP surgery for sleep apnea a few years back when I discovered
that the extremely low success rate of ~50% meant that at least some
post-surgical reduction in number of apneic events per hour was considered
"100% successful", even though the patient would have no relief and would
still require the same treatment as pre-surgery. So the 50% rate meant
simply that half would have a relatively meaningless reduction and the other
half would not - or would get worse!

My reasons for asking? After a somewhat successful lumbar spine discectomy &
laminectomy in 2000, which some of you may remember (two follow-up emergency
operations and a six month recovery). Now I'm going to be comsulting with a
neurosurgean soon for my cervical spine - spondylosis & foraminal stenosis
at multiple levels, five altogether, three severe. I've already decided I
will not get surgery unless I have absolutely no choice. Like I start to
experience signs of paraysis or something! Pain in left upper back, arm and
neck got bad enough 5 months ago that my PCP told me I'm done working till
he says otherwise, three epidurals didn't touch the pain, and I've gone from
Percoset to just two days ago applying my first fentanyl patch. I've been
placed on LTD, and now that my doc is out of answers he wants me to get a
second neurosurgical opinion. (First was w/the idiot from the lumbar op -
that visit didn't go real smooth; I don't like him!) I agreed to the
consult; UNUM will probably want to see this anyway. But I want to ask more
informed questions than I did 5 years ago. I know that with multilevel
issues, and at my age (50's), that potential for success is very much
lessened. So any info is greatly appreciated!